Thread by @UniofOxford

THREAD: Heatwaves can be problematic for those with mental health conditions.

They can present a range of challenges for people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more.

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#Heatwave2022

Heatwaves have been linked to a rise in depressive symptoms in people with Major Depressive Disorder, and a rise in anxiety symptoms in those with Generalised Anxiety Disorder – a condition where people feel anxious much of the time.

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Heatwaves can worsen the side effects of some medications used in mental health conditions – and increase the risk of heat-related harm.

In some cases, extreme heat can lead to a moderate reduction in the effectiveness of some medications.

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There's also a link between daily high temperature and suicide and suicide attempts.

Approximately for every 1℃ increase in monthly average temperature, mental health-related deaths increase by 2.2%.

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Humidity and temperature have been causally linked to the onset of manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder.

This state of the illness can cause significant harm and result in hospitalisation for psychosis and suicidal ideation.

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People without mental health disorders can also be affected by heat waves in terms of their mental health and ability to think and reason.

Research shows that areas of the brain responsible for framing and solving complex cognitive tasks are impaired by heat stress.

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A study of students in Boston found that those in rooms without air conditioning during a heatwave performed 13% worse than their peers in cognitive tests and had a 13% slower reaction time.

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There is still a lot that researchers don’t understand about the complex interplay between climate change & mental health.

You can find more info on the points made in this thread in this article co-written by @TheSmithSchool's Dr Wainwright. [8/8]
theconversation.com/heatwaves-wors…